A Visual Guide to the Captivating Beauty of Bee Balm Flowers

Bee balm flowers are some of the most vibrant and eye-catching blooms that grace gardens across North America. With their wide range of colors and whimsical shapes, it’s no wonder these flowers have long been a favorite of gardeners In this article, we’ll showcase the beauty of bee balm flowers through a collection of stunning pictures and explore what makes them such a beloved garden plant

Bee balm is the common name used for any plants in the Monarda genus, a group of around 15-18 aromatic perennial species in the mint family. Most bee balms are native to North America and many types were traditionally used by Native Americans for their medicinal properties.

Today, bee balms are prized mostly for their long-blooming flowers that attract hordes of pollinators. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and of course bees flock to the densely packed, nectar-rich blooms. Beyond their beauty, bee balms are also known for their minty fragrance and deer resistance.

The Distinctive Structure of Bee Balm Flowers

One of the most distinctive features of bee balm flowers is their unusual shape. The individual tubular flowers are clustered together in dense, spherical heads measuring 2-4 inches across.

Each compact flower head sits atop a square stem and is comprised of dozens of petite tubular blooms. Surrounding the base of each flower head is a whorl of showy, colorful leaf-like bracts that provide further ornamental value.

A Spectrum of Bee Balm Flower Colors

While red is the most common bee balm flower color, they come in a diverse palette. Hues range from deep purples and magentas to lighter pinks, peaches, and whites. Bi-colors like purple and white are also seen.

This wide spectrum makes it easy to find a shade that suits your tastes and complements other plants in your garden. The flowers also mix well in bouquets.

Picture Gallery of Bee Balm Flowers

Now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s take a visual tour of bee balm flowers. Below you’ll find pictures displaying the range of colors and forms found among popular bee balm varieties.

Scarlet Bee Balm

Scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) shows off vibrant crimson red blooms in mid to late summer:

![Scarlet bee balm with red flowers]

This bold bee balm grows up to 4 feet tall and thrives with minimal care. The ruby flowers glow against green foliage.

Wild Bergamot

Sometimes called wild bee balm, Monarda fistulosa exhibits soft lavender-pink flowers reminiscent of the bergamot orange scent:

![Wild bergamot with pinkish-purple flowers]

Wild bergamot reaches 2-5 feet tall and tolerates drier soils than other bee balms. Its pretty blooms and fragrance are suited to naturalized areas.

Lemon Bee Balm

Monarda citriodora offers light purple flowers with a strong lemon scent. Crush its leaves and you’ll get a burst of citrus:

![Lemon bee balm with purple flowers]

Lemon bee balm can spread aggressively but makes an excellent addition to herb gardens and xeriscapes requiring little watering.

Purple Rooster

The two-tone flowers of Monarda media ‘Purple Rooster’ display pinkish-purple petals with contrasting white centers:

![Purple rooster bee balm flowers]

At just 12-18 inches tall, this compact variety works well in borders and planters. It has excellent resistance to powdery mildew disease.

Balmy Rose

Monarda didyma ‘Balmy Rose’ charms with huge shaggy, soft pink blooms marked with darker pink spots:

![Balmy rose bee balm flowers]

These lush, full flowers give balmy rose bee balm an elegant, romantic vibe. It does best in organically rich soil.

Marshal’s Delight

Pretty green bracts surround the bright pinkish-purple flowers of Monarda ‘Marshal’s Delight’, creating a two-tone effect:

![Marshal’s Delight bee balm flowers]

At just 2 feet tall, this mildew-resistant cultivar is ideal for containers. It blooms prolifically from early to late summer.

Grow Them for Endless Flower Color

With their diversity of hues and shapes, bee balms offer long-blooming flowers to suit any color scheme or garden style. Give them full sun and average soil drainage for the best floral display. Pictures don’t do justice to seeing their beauty up close in your own garden.

So if you’re looking to attract more pollinators while adding vivid, fragrant color to your landscape, bee balm flowers are a must. Let us know if you have a favorite variety we should add to our visual bee balm guide!

Bee balm plants generally prefer full sun for optimal flowering, but they can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Bee balm (Monarda) typically blooms in the summer months, from June to August. Some varieties may extend their bloom time into early fall. The specific bloom time can vary depending on the specific species of bee balm and local climate conditions, according to The Plant Native.